As technology improves and educational models evolve, advanced business degrees have become more accessible and flexible. They now better meet the diverse needs of busy professionals looking to advance in their careers in their often limited spare time. Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is continually developing online programs that make advanced business education more efficient, flexible, and impactful than ever.

What has changed in the online education space?

An accessibility revolution
Online education has undergone a significant transformation. In years past, “correspondence” courses via mail and nascent online classes were considered unconventional and unfavorable; only a handful of fully online, high-quality MBA programs were available. During the pandemic, and as recently as two years ago, many institutions expected learners to adapt to delivery formats or systems that were rigid or didn’t prioritize learners’ needs.

In the past few years, institutions like Gies College of Business have transformed online education’s reputation — and benefits — with well-designed platforms and world-class instruction and learning experiences that are far more responsive to learners’ needs and goals. Today, a quality business education is no longer limited by geographic location, hour of the day, or family obligations.

The schools that follow this model are seeing healthy online enrollment growth as a consequence of strong, learner-centric investment, says Nerissa Brown, associate dean of graduate programs, professor of accountancy, and chief learning innovation officer at Gies.

Technology advancements that make a difference
As recently as the pandemic, many institutions struggled with online classes. Since then, technological advancements have made online business education easier, savvier, and more interactive. The teaching and learning staff at Gies have purposefully designed the experience with engagement as a common thread -- a big draw for their 7,000 online learners in 2024.

Significant investments in cutting-edge learning technologies and AI-backed tools allow for virtual meetups, collaborative group projects, and active discussion forums, infusing classes with rich peer-to-peer interaction and faculty engagement. “We also invest heavily in faculty and staff talent and in curricular innovation to ensure that we are delivering market-relevant content and experiences to learners,” Brown says.

Gies’ online platforms ensure that learners can interact with course material no matter their learning styles. In addition to virtual collaboration, learners have opportunities to engage in person through local meetups, the annual iConverge on-campus event and global immersion programs.

Education no longer requires a trade-off; learners can have an engaging experience with peers and the convenience of online learning.

Customized learning paths

One of the primary benefits of online education is its unmatched flexibility. Professionals often balance full-time careers, family obligations, and other personal responsibilities, making a traditional on-campus degree program unattainable or extremely complicated.

At Gies, flexibility is a cornerstone of the online MBA program — known as the iMBA. Learners are no longer bound by a traditional academic calendar. If life gets in the way, learners can pause their studies without penalty, taking off semesters or adjusting course loads as needed.

Mike Kawakami paused his online Master’s of Accounting program with Gies after a work promotion and heavier workload. “It was as simple as unenrolling for the term. There were no additional forms to fill out and no approvals to obtain. When I’m ready to resume the program, all I have to do is enroll in classes for the new term,” he says.

Marie-Eve Poulin, a Gies iMBA learner and new mother, says being able to watch recorded sessions when she can't attend live ones “is invaluable” and “ensures that I don't miss out on important lectures. The program structure lets me stay on top of my studies whether I'm at home, in the car, or while my baby is napping.”

The flexible format helps with day-to-day learning preferences too. Learners can review a key concept via class recording, or speed up or slow down a playback to meet their pace. They can listen rather than taking notes, or let closed captioning and AI tools provide instant notes. This creates tremendous value, whether enrolling in a single course or pursuing a full degree.

The stackability of business education

One perception that has become the norm since the pandemic is the idea of piecing together an education for the sake of time, money or personal preference. The idea of a one-and-done degree by age 22 is “as antiquated as a pocket watch,” Jeff Brown, the dean of Gies College of Business from 2015 to 2024, said in “The Stackability Revolution.”

Online business courses also allow learners to earn credentials one or more at a time. They can build their education in modular pieces, starting with certificates or smaller credentials and eventually stacking them into a full degree.

“The single biggest advantage to stackable credentials and degrees? Flexibility. You can start anywhere in our online portfolio and earn credentials along the way as you determine your career goals and what you want to specialize in,” current Associate Dean Nerissa Brown says. Professionals can pursue courses or certificates and immediately apply that knowledge in their current roles. Learners don’t have to wait until they have completed a full degree to reap the benefits of their education. They can focus on learning the skills that are most relevant to their jobs while keeping the door open to further education in the future.

Networking and professional growth opportunities

True global networking
Gies College of Business connects its learners with peers from diverse industries and geographic regions, creating opportunities for collaboration and knowledge-sharing on a global scale. Learners can get exposure to industries and business practices from small startups to large corporations for a more enriching experience than possible in a physical classroom. This is a tremendous benefit in the business world, where it’s important to have insights into different cultures. The Gies online programs emphasize interactions with faculty and fellow learners through online forums, group projects, faculty office hours, and live sessions. “I have really enjoyed engaging in different teamwork projects, forging meaningful connections. The inclusivity aspect that is interwoven in the program foundation enables a collaborative environment for effective learning and networking,” Lillian Akudolu, a Gies iMBA alumna, says.

Career advancement
For many learners, the goal of earning an advanced degree is career advancement. Both stackable credits and full degrees provide online learners with the skills and credentials they need.

Course by course, online learners are continually bringing new skills and knowledge to their workplaces. Melissa Cummings, who is halfway through the Gies online MBA, can attest to that.

“The Gies iMBA is already making me a more effective and more knowledgeable leader,” she says. “As a female in a senior leadership role working in a male-dominated industry, I advanced in my career by taking on roles with increasing responsibility. My coursework has helped me navigate different personalities and group dynamics and has given me the confidence I need in challenging settings. I am much more comfortable sitting at the table with C-suite executives and contributing to conversations.” Prince-Jerome Biscarro says that enrolling in the online Master’s in Management program at Gies “has been a game-changer for my career. It’s shifted the way I think strategically, helping me approach complex problems with a broader perspective and make more informed decisions that benefit my organization.”

Online business education has evolved to meet the needs of today’s professionals. Gies College of Business is at the forefront, providing learners with the tools and resources to thrive in a global business landscape. The online master’s program, with its stackable credentials and flexible learning paths, exemplifies how online education is shaping the future of business learning, making it more impactful and accessible for professionals worldwide.